Peach splitting and pitting machine.



S. J. DUNKLEY. PEACH SPLITTING AND FITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED rmmv. 1905.

921,523. Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

S. J. DUNKLEY. PEACH SPLITTING AND FITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.27. 1905.

Patented May 11, 1909.

2 BHEBTS-SHEET 2.

' -UNITED gm 4 as PATENT onFroE.

SAMUEL J DUN KLEY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICI EIIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE DUN KLEY COMPANY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

. Specification of Letters, Patent.

PEACH SPLITTING AND FITTING MACHINE.

Patented May 11, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J DUNKLEY, a citizen of the United.States,'residing inKalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement inPeach Splitting and Fitting Machines, of which the following is a specification: l I My invention relates to improvements in. peach s litting and pitting machines.

The ject of my invention is to provide a peach splitting and itting machine of a simple, efiicient and urable construction, by means of which peaches may be rapidly and cheaply split or halved, and pitted or stoned, and the split halves of the peach separated from the stone without Waste, mutilation or injury to the appearance of the fruit.

My invention consists in the means I em- .ploy to practically accomplish this object or result; that is to say it consists, in connection with an intermittently rotating knife carrier or wheel having a series of knives mounted peripherally thereon, and each havinga recessed cutting edge, preferably of a U-shape or V-shape, of a pair of movable forks reciprocating transversely to the plane of the knife carrier or wheel, and an opposing movable double or split knife cooperating in turn with each of the knives on the knife carrier or wheel, the two members of the split or'double knife beingadapted to separate or spread apart and thus separate the two split halves of the dpeach from the pit while thepit is graspe and held by the forks. My invention also consists in the hovel construction of parts and devices and in the novel combinatlons of dparts and devices herein shownor describe In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of a peach splitting and pitting machine embodying my Invention; Flg. 2 is a front. elevation; Fig. 3 is a detail section on line 33 of Fig: 2; Fig. 4 is a detail vertical section on line 44 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a detail section on line 55' of Fig. 2; Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged detail vertical sectional views illustrating the operation. i

In the drawing Arepresents the frame of the machine, B is the intermittently revolving knifecarrier or wheel, having a series of knives C removably secured thereto. Each of the knives C has a recessed cutting edge 0,

the same being curved or U-shaped, and af-' fording a hollow or cavity a, large'enough to accommodate the peach pits, in connection with a similar cavity in the opposing or cooperating split knifeD, which has a'recessed cutting edge (1 likewise, of U-shape, and forming a cavity (1} to receive the stone orpit m of the peach X. The knives C are secured to ,the carrier B by screws 0 The cavity (1 in the split or double knife D is preferably deeper than that in the knives C, so that the edges of the two knives D C'may telescope or pass each other without striking the peach it.

The split or. double knife D is prefera 1y composed of two thin steel knife blades D I) having shanks of spring material the two the knife C on the carrier B when the split or double knife isclosed dovfi upon the peach to s lit the same. D of the split or double knife D, are adapted to separate or s read apart after the each is severed bv t e operation .of the nives D, D, and thus causethe two split halves X X of the peach to be freed or separated from the pit a; while the latteris held b the forksF F. The double or split knife D ,is given a vibrating movement to 0 en and \close. against the cooperating knife I on the "carrier B, and each spring knife blade D is preferably removably secured by screwed to a vibrating lever D which is or maybe of yoke-form, andpivoted to the frame at d. The two "spring knife blades D D are separated or spread apart 'after the same make.

their downward stroke to sever the pea ch, by means of a rotating. cam G, which is furnished with a cam face 9 on each side, and which is preferably mounted to rotate between the two knife blades-DD.

, The transversely reciprocatin pit holdeis or forks F-.F are-eachpreferabIyfurmsned with three tines f, and the same reciprocating through a'pair of stationary stripper H H, which serve to strip the two split alves X X of the peach from the forks.

To facilitate the sticking or insertion of the The two knife blades I Iplates %eaches onthe knives C of the carrier wheel I a stationary provided hopper or peach guide H is K is the discharge chute into which the split halves of the peaches and the pits drop may be formed of slats.

The knife carrier or wheel B has a ste by ste or intermittent movement. The orks F F have a plain reciprocating movement, properly timed to pierce the I each and gras the pits and hold t members D D of the double 'or split knife D spread apart or separate from each other to free the twb halves of the peach from the pit, after said split ordouble knife D descends and severs the each by its 006 eration with the knife'C. T e split or doub e knife D has two movements, one a vibrating or descending movement to sever the peach, and then a s reading or separating movement of its two I 1) ades DU.

The required movements may be communicated to the several moving parts of the machineby any suitable connecting or motion giving mechanism or gearing. The knife carrier or wheel B is intermittently rotated as required by an ordinary Geneva stop mechanism, the same'as illustrated in the drawing, comprising a radially slotted disk I) connected to rotate with the wheel B, and a continuously rotating disk 6 having a pin 6 engaging the radial slots 1) of the disk The disk I) is continuously rotated from the driving shaft P through the gears 10 on the.

driving shaft, and the gear 1) on the shaft of the disk 6 The knifeholderor lever D is pivoted tothe frame at d and is vibrated or operated at intervals as required by means of a cam P on the driving shaft P, through the connecting lever d pivoted to the link 113 The lever (it has an anti-friction roller (i engaging the cam P.' A spring (1 serves to ho (1 this roller d in engagement with the ram, and thus operates to retract the knife carrying lever. The (am G bywhich the two s ring knife blades D D doub e knife D, are spread apart or separated at intervals as required, may preferably be rotated by means of a sprocket wheel or gear g on its shaft 9 and a s rocket chain 9 i which engages a sprocket w eel or gearg on the shaft 6 v I Each of the reciprocating pit holders or forks F is reciprocated as required by means of a cam P on the driving shaft P through the connecting lever 1", having a roller f 2 engaging said cam P and a connecting link f bent lever f and pivot link f A spring f serves tohold the lever f 1 in engagement with the cam, and thus to retract the pit holder or fork F. The pit holders or forks F reci rocats in suitable guides F on the frame 0 the machine.

e same w ile thetwo split.

of the split or a C as the mife carrier-B rotates intermittentl At each step of the knifecarrier or whee Bthe opposing split or double'knife D descends and severs the peach, the cavi ties c d of the knives C, D accommodating i the pit.\ The two members or blades D D of the split or double knife D are then caused to spread or spring apart by action of the cam G, thus freeing the two split'halves of the peach from the it, which is still grasped or held stationary y the forks or pit holders FF. The forks F F next recede, thus stripping the halves of the peach from the forks through the action of the stationary strippers H H, while at the same time the knife D moves upward and the carrier B moves another step, thus bringing another peach into position for operation.

I claim:

1. In a peach splitting and pitting machine, the combination with an intermittently rotatable knife carrier or WheeLfur- 'nished with a series of knives having recessed cutting edges mounted thereon, of a 006 crating split or double knife mounted, an operating in the lane of said wheel, a pair of movable it hdl eating transverse y between said knives, and means for separating the two members or ders or forkstreciproblades of said split or double knife and movingthem with the split halves of the each away from the said knife carrier, an thus freeing the split halves of the each from the pit, substantially as specifieeli 2. -In a peach splitting; and pitting machine, the combination with an intermittently rotatable knife carrier or Wheel furnished with a series of knives having recessed cutting edges, of a pair of transversely reciprocating it holders or forks, a coo erating split or ouble knife mounted an operating in the plane of said'wheel and comprisin two flat lades of s ring material, a yo e connecting said lades, and means for separating the two members or blades of said split or double knife and movversely reciprocating pit holders or forks, a I

cooperating split or double knife comprising two flat blades and shanks of spring material, and a cam for se arating thetwo mem bers or blades of said split or double knife acting on said spring shanks, substantially as specified.

4. In a peach splitting and pitting machine, the combination with an intermittently rotatable knife carrier or wheel, furnishedr'with a series of -knives having re-' cessed cutting edges mounted thereon, of a cooperating split or double knife having shanks of spring material, a pair of movable "pit' holders or forks reciprocating transverselybetween said knives, a cam for acting on said spring shanks and separating the two members 'or blades of said split or double knife and thus forcingthe split halves of the peach from the pit, and a lever ful- I cessed cutting edges mounted thereon, of a cooperating split or double knife, and a pair of movable pit holders or forksreciprocating transversely betweensaid knives, means for separating the two members or blades of said split or double knife thus freeing the split halves of the peach from the pit, a le ver fulcrumed on the frame of the machine carrying both parts of said double knife, and

a pair of strippers, substantially as specified In a peach splitting and pitting machine, the combination of a knife which is held from lateral movement, and is formed with a notched cutting edge, a double or split knife'formed with,recessed cutting edges and arranged to overlap or telescopewith the first knife one part of the double knife at each side of the same, and means for movin the twp parts of the double knife laterally and oppositely away from thefir'st knife, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

40X 7. In a peach splitting and pitting machine, the combination with an intermittently rotatable knife carrier or wheel furnished with a series of knives having recessed cutting ed es, of a pair of transversely reciprocating pit iolders or forks, a cooperating split or double knifecom rising two flat blades having shanks of sprmg material, a

cam acting on saidspring shanks for separating the two membersor blades of said split or double knife, a lever with which both of said spring shanks. are fixedly connected, and a pair of strippers, substantially as specified.

8. Ina peach splitting'and pitting machine, the combination of a rotary knife carrierv furnished with a series of; knives having recessed cutting edges, means for'holding said knlvfes from lateral movement and for moving" hem longitudinally and intermittent-1y, two opposing knives formed With recessed cutting edges and arranged to telescope with the knives of the sald series on opposite sides of the same,- and means for moving said two opposing knives laterally and oppositely awa from a knife of said series of knives at t e time whcnthe three set forth.

knivesare telescoped and the carrier isin termittently stationary, substantially as'an'd for the purposes described.

9. Ina peach splitting and pitting machine, the combination of a rotatable knife carrier, a series of knives having recessed cutting edges and mounted on said carrier,

mechanism for turning said carrier intermittently to bring said knives successively oposite to a double knife, said double or split linife having separable blades arranged in the plane of said series: of knives and movable in such plane toward and from the knives of said series, mechanism connected with the mechanism for turning the carrier and arranged to separate the blades of the double knife at times when the carrier is intermittently stationary, and the transversely 'operat-ing pit holders, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In a peach splitting and pitting machine, the combination of arotatable knife carrier, a series of knives having recessed cutting edges, and mounted in said carrier,

mechanism for turning said carrier intermittently to bring said knives successively opposite to a double knife, said double or split mife having separable or thin bladesv arrangedin the plane of said series of knives and movable in such plane toward and from the knives of said series, a lever with which the 'partsof said double knife are connected, means for actuating the lever,'and mechanism connected with the said mechanism for turning the carrier and arranged toseparate the blades of the double knife at times when the carrier is intermittently stationary, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a peach splitting and pitting machine, the combination of a rotatable carrier, a series of knives having recessed cutting edges and mounted on said carrier, mechanism for turning said carrier intermittently to plane toward and from the knives of said series, and a cam connected with the mechanism for turning the carrier and arrangedtoseparate the blades of the double knife at times 'when the carrier is' stationary, said cam being arranged and niovablein planes parallel with the lplanes of rotation of the carrier, substantia y as and for the purposes 12. In a peach splitting and pitting machine, the combinationof a rotatable knife c mechanism for turning said carrier intermittently to bring said knives successively o pgsite to a double knife, said double or sp it ife having separable blades arranged in the plane of said series of knives and movable in said' series, a pivot to which both of said and for the purposes set forth. b ades are attached to turn therewith means a l I i for-oscillating said blades and pivdt, and SAMUEL D said blane toward and from the knives of intermittentlystationary, substantially as' 5 mechanism eonnected with the mechanism Witnesses:

for turning the carrier and arranged to sepa- A. L. WALDO, rate the blades at times when the carrier is M. H. DE LOOF. 

